RUFC – Millers considering artificial pitch

Rotherham United Chairman, Tony Stewart has said that he would seriously consider putting in an artificial pitch at the new ground.

Speaking to Ian Appleyard of the Yorkshire Post, Mr Stewart said, ‘If the League sanctioned this tomorrow, we would seriously look at it for next season.`

The League banned the use of artificial pitches in 1988 but it is thought that they have improved dramatically since then and, along with Wycombe and Accrington, Rotherham United are one of the lower league clubs pushing for the return of non-grass pitches in the Football League.

‘It is early days,` Mr Stewart carried on, ‘but there is certainly a move back towards artificial pitches. They can save a club money in the long term, they are tried and tested in Europe and are far better than in the Eighties, they are softer, hard-wearing, frost free, easy to drain, and good on a player`s muscles. All the old problems have been erased.

‘When a game is re-arranged for midweek, we can`t generate the same amount of money as we would on a Saturday plus there are additional costs. An artificial pitch would help remove that problem. It has to be a serious consideration for any club looking to move to a new ground.`

The Millers have had a number of games called off in the last couple of seasons which were due both to an unplayable pitch and safety so, I suppose this would solve half of the problem. But artificial grass – just not cricket is it ?.

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